Mary Jo Carlsen, a native of Montana, earned her degrees from the University of Washington. After studying with Itzhak Perlman in New York, she moved to Maine in 1982. Mary Jo taught at Colby College for 20 years, and also performed as a violinist, violist, and baroque violinist in France, Italy, South Carolina, New York, Florida, and around New England. Currently she performs with Bangor Symphony, Portland Symphony, St. Mary Schola, PORTopera, and gives occasional chamber music and solo recitals. She teaches violin and viola in her home studio in Waterville, as well as at Summerkeys in Lubec. Mary Jo's violin is based on and inspired by a 1649 Nicolo Amati, made for her in 1995 by Robert Beacham of Farmington, Maine.